On Screen Manitoba and Gimli Film Festival:
Winner announced for Gimli Film Festival's
2018 RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Competition

GIMLI, MB - On Screen Manitoba, RBC and the Gimli Film Festival are pleased to announce that Erika Ulrich's Palm House (Eternal Youth) was selected as the winner of the 7th annual RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Competition at the 2018 Gimli Film Festival.

Immediately before the competition, contestants and audience members were treated to a screening of the short film If It Ain't Got from Nicola Baldwin and Miles Crossman, winners of the 2017 competition. Their short film chronicles the experience of a 21-year old Nigerian man's discovery of swing dancing and its inclusive power of bringing people of all backgrounds together.

This year's finalists were given three minutes to pitch their short film ideas to a panel of industry professionals and a live audience of nearly 200 at the Gimli Theatre. Following each pitch, the jury had five minutes to offer feedback and to ask questions. Once every pitch was completed, the panel deliberated and selected a winner.

Erika Ulrich was awarded $10,000 in production funds through the RBC Emerging Artists Project, a mentorship with industry professionals from the National Screen Institute - Canada, a one-year membership with On Screen Manitoba, a $2,500 gift certificate courtesy of William F. White International and a premiere screening of her film at next year's Gimli Film Festival.

Palm House (Eternal Youth) is about a young girl who shares a secret with an aging horticultural observatory, which is slated for demolition. The story examines the weight of our own nostalgia, and the relationship between memory and place.

"Mostly I'm just very excited. I am honoured to have been chosen. I recognize that past recipients have gone on to do amazing work. I'm looking forward to the coming year and I would like to thank the Gimli Film Festival, RBC, On Screen Manitoba and NSI," said Erika Ulrich.

"Once again we were moved, inspired, and entertained by the dynamic pitches at the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition," shared Aaron Martyniw, RBC Vice President Commercial Financial Services. "We at RBC marvel at these bold storytellers who are able to share their passion and bring the audience right along with them on a story journey in just a few short minutes. We're thrilled to congratulate Erika Ulrich on a successful pitch and look forward to investing in her creative vision as it comes to life on the big screen."

"This year hosted another talented lineup of filmmakers for our RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Competition. We look forward to this event every year because it never fails to exhibit the amazing Manitoban talent within the film industry and this year was no exception," said Leona Johnson, Festival Director of the Gimli Film Festival. "Congratulations to this year's winner Erika Ulrich, we can't wait to screen her film Palm House (Eternal Youth) at next year's Festival!"

"The RBC pitch competition at the Gimli Film Festival is a great showcase for emerging talent in Manitoba, many past pitch participants work in the industry today," said Nicole Matiation, Executive Director of On Screen Manitoba. "On Screen Manitoba looks forward to working with each and every participant as they advance their careers in the media production industry."

Congratulations to all the finalists who presented their story ideas and thank you to all 12 emerging Manitoban filmmakers who submitted:

On Screen Manitoba and the Gimli Film Festival wish to thank RBC, the National Screen Institute - Canada and William F. White International for the generous prizes they provided for the winner. Manitoba's screen-based media community values their support and looks forward to continued partnership.

We also wish to thank our jurors: award-winning independent television producer, writer and director Andrew Blicq; Joy Loewen Manager, Programs & Development at National Screen Institute - Canada and Shelley MacDougall, Manager of Programming, Central Region at APTN. Special thanks to master of ceremonies Laurie Hoogstraten, writer-broadcaster with CBC.-30-

The RBC Emerging Artists Project helps artists bridge the gap from emerging to established, and supports organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance their career trajectory. RBC supports arts organizations and artists in a range of genres including visual art, music, theatre, performance, literature and film.

The Gimli Film Festival is the largest film festival in Manitoba. Over the past 17 years, our audience, sponsors and partners have supported and shaped the festival into what it is today. We showcase fiction feature films, documentaries and short films from Manitoba, Canada and the world.

On Screen Manitoba leads the development of a dynamic media production industry recognized for its world-class creative and technical talent and that generates over 1900 jobs annually, attracting over $58M annually to the Province of Manitoba.

The Winnipeg Arts Council is located on Treaty 1 Territory and on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene Peoples and in the homeland of the Métis Nation. We offer our respect and gratitude to the traditional caretakers of this land.